Islander Kara Dudley finds moment in Internet spotlight

A Grand Islander stole the
spotlight from a famous Victoria's Secret model Monday and ended up on the
front page of various international news websites.

Island native Kara Dudley is the
anonymous woman seen upstaging supermodel Karlie Kloss in several Internet
photos posted July 21 on celebrity websites. Dudley was photographed coming out
of a New York City shop after searching for Taylor Swift, who had appeared to
have gone into it earlier. She saw the paparazzi, but was oblivious to the
statuesque Kloss, who was standing directly behind her. Dudley posed as if the
cameras were present to photograph her. The photos made such websites as "Good
Morning America," ABC Pop, Cosmopolitan UK, The Daily Mirror, UsMagazine.com, MTV.com,
and even ninemsn.com.au in Australia.

This was not the first time Dudley
was in the presence of a star, since she moved to the city in January. She
encountered Ray Romano outside a comedy club, and they had a conversation. The
lack of engagement between Dudley and Kloss, however, makes their exchange - or
lack thereof - more memorable. Before the accidental photo bombing, Dudley had
no idea who Karlie Kloss was. Now she may never forget.

"I had no idea she was behind me,
until I saw the pictures," Dudley said.

The spontaneous moment has made
headlines that included "Girl steals supermodel's spotlight," and "Woman Didn't
Realize Paparazzi Were Taking Pics of Karlie Kloss, Not Her."

Cosmopolitan.co.uk wrote, "Random
posing girl, we salute you." Cosmo used the photos of Kloss in a report called
"23 Celebrities Who Look Flawless Even in Workout Clothes."

Dudley is enjoying the media
attention, hoping it will help her as she pursues a career in modeling and
acting.

ABC News said of Dudley, "To the
woman's credit, she did look great in jean shorts and a black tank." Wrote one
person in the comments section: "Good for her. Wouldn't be a bit surprised if,
in a few years, the paparazzi ARE waiting for her."

Dudley, the daughter of Lisa and
Michael Dudley of Grand Island, is a 2010 graduate of Grand Island High School
and a 2014 graduate of The College at Brockport.